MELALEUCA ALTERNIFOLIA LEAF OIL

Name of the plant

Tea Tree

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Used plant parts

Leaves (or needles)

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Type of preparation

Fat or essential oil

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Function(s) of this ingredient in cosmetic products

ANTIOXIDANT

Inhibits reactions promoted by oxygen, thus avoiding oxidation and deterioration of ingredients

FRAGRANCE

Enhances the smell of a product and / or perfumes the skin

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Origin

plant

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Occurrence in cosmetics

Anti-dandruff shampoos, skin creams for blemished skin, deodorants, soaps, toothpastes and mouth waters

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Background information on use in cosmetics

Tea tree oil is a very diverse oil and is part of the group of essential oils. By means of distillation it is obtained from the leaves and the tops of the branches of the tea tree in Australia. Tea tree oil contains a high share of terpenes so that it has an antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effect. Fragrances or mixtures of fragrances are often referred to in the cosmetics area as "perfuming agents" or "perfume oils" or "parfum oils". On the cosmetic products they are declared with the INCI name "PARFUM". These are undiluted individual substances or their mixtures which originate from natural raw materials or can be produced (semi-) synthetically. They are starting materials for the production of perfume, eau de parfum, eau de toilette, eau de cologne and other perfumed cosmetic products. The average content of fragrances amounts in perfume to 15-30 %, in eau de parfum to 10-14 %, in eau de toilette to 6-9 %, in eau de cologne to 3-5 % as well as in skin creams, shampoos, hair and deodorant sprays to approximately 0.2-1 % and approximately 1-3% in deodorant sticks. The perfume oils include essential oils, resinoids and absolutes. The sources are, amongst others, flowers, leaves and stems, fruits and fruit peels or roots of plants; woods, grasses or herbs, needles, resins and balsams. Moreover, compounds isolated from natural products such as aldehydes, ketones, esters, alcohols etc. are used (geraniol, citronellal, citral, eugenol, menthol). Semi-synthetic (citronellol, geranyl acetate, jonone) and synthetic scents (eg phenylethyl alcohol and linalool) are used too. Scents of animal origin such as musk and ambra are only rarely used.

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Information on safe use

ECHA published in February 2024 a RAC Opinion recommending a classification for MELALEUCA ERICIFOLIA LEAF OIL / Tea Trea Oil (TTO) as ‘Reprotoxic of Category 1B (H360Fd)’3. Based on this RAC Opinion, the European Commission may propose a classification for TTO as a ‘Repr.1B’ . As a consequence, the use of TTO in cosmetic products could be prohibited, unless all of the following conditions are fulfilled (Article 15(2) of the Cosmetics Regulation): (a) they comply with the food safety requirements as defined in Regulation (EC) No 178/20024 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 28 January 2002 laying down the general principles and requirements of food law, establishing the European Food Safety Authority and laying down procedures in matters of food safety; (b) there are no suitable alternative substances available, as documented in an analysis of alternatives; (c) the application is made for a particular use of the product category with a known exposure; and (d) they have been evaluated and found safe by the SCCS for use in cosmetic products, in particular in view of exposure to these products and taking into consideration the overall exposure from other sources, taking particular account of vulnerable population groups.’ In view of the widespread use of TTO in cosmetic products and other sectors, the SCCS has repeatedly reviewed available safety data including packages submitted by cosmetic industry associations and/or companies since more than 20 years. The document cited below summarizes the assessment by SCCS with the conclusion, that the use of Tea Tree Oil (TTO) as an anti-seborrheic and anti-microbial agent is safe in four defended product types - up to the maximum concentration of 2.0% in shampoo, 1.0% in shower gel, 1.0% in face wash and 0.1% in face cream. SCCS (Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety), Scientific Opinion on Tea Tree Oil (CAS/EC No. 68647-73-4 /285-377-1) used in cosmetic products, preliminary version of 28 May 2025, final version of 30 October 2025, SCCS/1681/25

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Belongs to the following substance groups

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Regulating cosmetics

Cosmetics Ingredients are subject to regulation. Please note, different regulations may apply to cosmetic ingredients outside the EU.